Princeton Weekend Guide: Jan. 3-6

Thursday

a presentation by Ward Wilson, senior fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Free, with $3 suggested donation, 10 a.m. 

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Princeton Public Library's Community Room. Eligible donors with types O positive and negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to donate double-red cells where available. Because platelets are only good for five days, there is a constant need for donations. Walk-ins accepted, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Get a new gadget for the holidays? Stop by Princeton Public Library's Help Desk from 2-3 p.m. for help downloading ebooks and how to use other great programs like Mango Languages, TumbleBookLibrary, OneClickDigital and Freegal on them.

on Route 1. Learn where chronic pain and injury actually from and learn techniques and practical steps you can use to help prevent chronic pain.  Part two will expose some of the most prevalent fitness myths that even many experts still buy into, 7 p.m.

Discuss the values that drive Princeton residents and how these values relate to white previlege and to race, Princeton Public Library Community Room, 7:30 p.m. 

Friday

Princeton Public Library presents "Maximizing Our Personal Networking Opportunities." Rod Colón will offer his perspective on what it takes to succeed in today's global economy, based on his 25 years of experience as a corporate HR management insider, outside agency recruiter, professional networker and career coach, Community Room, 10 a.m.

Dance, play, build community, and form new and lasting friendships. It’s a safe place to focus inwardly, make genuine contact with yourself, and then bring to life exactly who you are in the moment through creative motion, $18, 8 p.m. 

Saturday

Join Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory for Science on Saturday, featuring Princeton University Physics Professor James Olsen, who will present 'The Large Hadron Collider: Big Science for Big Questions.' Free, but registration with photo I.D. is required beginning at 8:15 a.m. Lecture begins at 9:30 a.m. 

Join the education director of the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Naturalist for a winter morning walk at the Mountain Lakes Preserve. Appropriate for adults and families with children 5 and older. Discover the survival strategies of local plants and animals, learn where animals store food and how they survive the season’s relentless chill. Enjoy the fun of the ‘Hibernation Game’. Dress warmly, boots are recommended. Registration required, email mpolefka@thewatershed.org or call 609-737-7592, $5, 9:30 a.m.

Historical Society of Princeton offers a Battle of Princeton Family Program to commemorate the pivotal battle on Jan. 3, 1777, when Gen. George Washington launched an attack on British troops in Princeton and dealt the enemy its first stinging defeat. Families can examine military artifacts, then walk to the Battle Monument, retracing part of the battle at Nassau Hall. For children ages 6 and up. $5, $4 for HSP members. (One adult free with child.) To register, please call 609-921.6748 x102, or e-mail eve@princetonhistory.org, 2 p.m. 

Westminster Conservatory presents 'Romantic Gems Extravaganza,' a benefit concert for the Dr. H. Korkina Scholarship Fund for Westminster students. The program features work by Schumann, Brahms, Schubert, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, and more. Free admission, donations invited. Bristol Chapel, 5 p.m. 

. No experience necessary. All drums are provided or bring your own, $15, 8 p.m. 

Sunday

Composer and bassist George Quinn will lead "The George Quinntet," an ensemble featuring members of Princeton High School’s top jazz groups in the Princeton Public Library's Community Room, 3 p.m.